That said, it's possible that alcohol comsumption is more egalitarian now than it was in the 17th century, so it's possible that taxes could be more effective. Or that we've learned more in the past few centuries about how to use sin taxes to control socially damaging behaviors.

For example, there's a much more recent counter-example, which Withington doesn't consider — recent attempts to curb smoking through price boosts and high taxes. Cigarettes are now incredibly expensive, and it's one of the factors linked to the decline of the habit. Or could that change be instead ascribed to other factors, like shifting societal views and decreased advertising?